1st December 2004 Archive

"The Internet is becoming more and more widespread and will increasingly represent a scientific random sample of the population," claims ICANN's newest board member, Joi Ito. Quite what scientific experiments he will wish to perform, once the desired sample size has been reached, remains a mystery. But like many people who spend too long in front of their computers, he's talking about a Platonic ideal rather than the real world.

An unprotected Windows XP machine was breached within four minutes, and became a zombie in less than ten hours, tests conducted by USA Today show. The paper set up six honeypot PCs and monitored the results.

Virus writers have packaged the Skulls mobile Trojan with Cabir to create a more potent threat against Symbian Series 60 smart phones. Vulnerable phones include those from manufacturers such as Nokia, Siemens, Panasonic and Sendo.

Sybase has just announced a partnership with IBM to market the former's database on the latter's hardware. If that doesn't make you sit up and take notice then nothing will. Why would IBM, with more than enough databases of its own (at least seven) want to encourage Sybase, of all people?

It is fair to say that for the first decade or more of its existence, Microsoft paid comparatively little attention to the manageability of its increasingly diverse range of offerings. Indeed, as the company's products grew in their capabilities they became ever more widely deployed in almost every area of business. However, such expansion was not without its headaches, notably in the considerable effort on the part of skilled IT staff to keep the tools working safely and effectively. Fortunately, over the last few years Microsoft has committed itself to making its software easier, and therefore cheaper, to manage.

Thales has launched a hardware-based encryption device for broadband connections. The new IP version of its SafeDial+ encryptor PC card is certified by GCHQ to protect information up to the CONFIDENTIAL level. It will enable UK government employees to use broadband out of the office to access sensitive information.

One of the key lessons learned from the failure of many broadband wireless services around 2000 was that providers need to avoid the big bang approach. Companies like Winstar and Teligent built far reaching and expensive networks and waited for the customers to turn up, rather than adopting the step-by-step approach favored by more successful ISPs planning for WiMAX.

Net users are being urged to bin an email doing the rounds (yet again) warning them of a premium-rate phone scam. Telephone watchdog, ICSTIS, says its received dozens of calls in the last few days from people concerned that they could be ripped off if they fall for the con.

A probe into the the nutritional content of the average keyboard has discovered that it contains an unhealthy balance of bread crumbs, crisp fragments, meat, sugar, salt and jam. Worse still, this inadequate diet is supplemented with toe and fingernail clippings, grit, glue and pubic hair.

Way back in May I looked at the ATI Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition graphics card. This was ATI's next generation graphics solution, and it took graphics performance to the next level. However, even though the X800 XT PE was a great card, it soon became apparent that no one could buy one. As the days, weeks and months ticked by, finding a retail X800 XT PE didn't become any easier and many potential buyers settled for X800 Pro cards instead, writes Riyad Emeran.

Camera phones will soon have lenses made from nothing more substantial that a couple of drops of oil and water, but will still be capable of auto focusing, and even zooming in on subjects. So says Etienne Paillard, CEO of French start-up Varioptic.

Telenor Mobil today turned on Norway to 3G. The cellco claims launch-day coverage for its UMTS network in "70 cities and densely populated areas", reaching half of Norway's population. It aims to delive full coverage to all areas with more than 200 people by 2007.

David Blunkett's private and public lives collided spectacularly over the weekend, putting his future ministerial career in peril at just about the worst possible moment. Security legislation from Blunkett's Home Office forms the centrepiece of the Government's programme for next year, and will be the central plank of its election campaign; if Blunkett goes on an integrity issue, Tony Blair himself will be dangerously exposed, and will be hard-put to find a replacement with the current Home Secretary's special talents.

The UK government today renewed its attack against critics of its ID card proposals. Home Office minister Des Browne MP said opponents are campaigning on a false prospectus based on "myths and misinformation" about its scheme to require every UK resident to have a biometric ID card within eight years or so.

Some start-ups are comprised of wide-eyed wheelers and dealers with little technical expertise. Others have a decent mix of business types and technology talents. Then there are start-ups like Secure64 Software Corp. that have nothing but the richest pedigree of pure, unadulterated genius running through their giddy veins.

When Philadelphia begs, Verizon listens. The telco has given Philly permission to build out a citywide wireless network. However, the deal indirectly blocks other Pennsylvania towns from coming to a similar arrangement. Smaller cities and towns will have to do more than get down on their knees if they want cheap broadband because Philadelphia has sold the rest of the state to Verizon.